Loose-leaf binder



Sept. 16, 1969 w. w HOLES ET AL LOOSE-LEAF BINDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 28, 1967 mvEN'roR' MAL/4M M4 #0455, 50/4 4212 1.. 4/554 BY J Sept.16, 1969 w. w. HOLES ET AL LOOSE-LEAF BINDER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug.28, 1967 m N E V m FIE 10 MMMQML AffOEM JS United States Patent3,467,479 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER William W. Holes and Edward L. Libby, St.Cloud, Minn., assignors to The Holes-Webway Co., St. Cloud, Minn., acorporation of Minnesota Filed Aug. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 663,653 Int. Cl.B42f 13/02, 13/06, 11/00 US. 'Cl. 402ll3 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An object of this invention is to provide a novel albumincluding front and rear covers, and a plurality of similar pageshingedly connected to the covers With hinge means located generallyexternally of the edges of the pages, thereby permitting the pages tolie flat when the album is opened, facilitating turning of the pages,and insertion of additional pages.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel album inwhich each page thereof has a plurality of tab mounted hinge elementsthereon, which may be readily preformed and applied to each page, andwhich receive and cooperate with mounting straps that releasably connectwith the cover for providing an attractive but highly efiicient hinge.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel album, ofsimple and inexpensive construction, with an external hinge structureincluding strap confining hinge elements that project outwardly from thelongitudinal edges of the album pages and which confine the flexiblestrap that releasably binds the pages to the album covers.

These and other objects and advantages of this inven tion will morefully appear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a novel album in the closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the album in anopened condition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an album page illustrating oneembodiment of the novel hinge means with certain parts thereof brokenaway for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thehinge means with parts thereof broken away;

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the hinge means with certain partsthereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another embodiment ofthe novel hinge means with parts thereof broken away for clarity andwith other parts thereof illustrated in an adjusted position by dottedline configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the novel hingemeans with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity and with otherparts thereof illus- 7O trated in an ad usted position by dotted lineconfiguration:

tion;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the novelhinge means with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity and withother parts illustrated in an adjusted position by dotted lineconfiguration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the novel hingemeans with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity, with otherparts illustrated in an adjusted position by dotted line configuration;and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the novelhinge means.

Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to FIGS. 1 to 3, itwill be seen that one embodiment of the novel album designated generallyby the reference numeral 10, is there shown. The album is comprised ofgenerally rectangular-shaped front and rear covers 11, each having apair of elongate openings 12 therethrough adjacent one longitudinal edgethereof. These covers are of relatively rigid construction, althoughthey may be padded as desired. The album also includes a plurality ofgenerally rectangular flat pages 13, which are preferably formed of asomewhat rigid paper material and having slightly smaller width andlength dimensions than the covers 11. Each page has an elongate,relatively narrow strip 14 applied to its outer longitudinal edge, asbest seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. This strip may be formed of paper, fabric orthe like, and has an adhesive coating along one surface thereof. Thisstrip is used primarily with photograph albums and may be omitted inother type albums, such as scrapbooks and the like. In photographalbums, the album pages are transversely die-cut throughout a majorportion of their width in a plurality of locations to form the page intosections. The strip holds the cut edges together and also prevents thephotographic inserts from being accidentally removed from the sleeveswhich are applied to the page sections.

The pages and covers are hingedly bound together by external hingemeans, which permits the ready inclusion of additional pages and alsopermits the pages to lie flat when the album is opened. To this end, itwill be seen that each page 13 has a pair of relatively smallrectangular hinge mounting tabs 15 applied to the inner longitudinalmarginal portion thereof to overlie a portion of the longitudinal edge16 of the page. These tabs in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, maybe formed of a suitable flexible material, such as paper, cloth,acetate, or the like. In the event that paper or cloth are used, onesurface thereof will be gummed in a well-known manner and when acetateis used to form the tabs, one surface thereof will have an adhesivecoating thereon so that the tabs may be readily applied to the marginaledge portion of the page. It will be noted, that the hinge mounting tabs15 for each page are of identical construction and size, and when foldedover the inner longitudinal edge of the page, has width dimensionssubstantially smaller than the width dimension of the page and lengthdimensions, which is substantially smaller than the length dimension ofthe page.

Each hinge mounting tab 15 serves to mount a hinge mounting element 17to a page. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, each hinge elementis preferably formed of a suitable metallic material, which is somewhatmalleable and which includes a bight or transverse portion 18, having apair of legs 19 integrally formed therewith and projecting inwardlytherefrom. The legs 19 penetrate the associated tab and terminate inanchor elements 20, which are bent towards each other and which areinterposed between the associated tab and the inner longitudinal edge 16of the associated page. The bight portion 18 is spaced outwardly fromthe outer surface of the associated tab and edge 16 of the page 13 tothereby define an elongate strap confining opening or recess 21.

The hinge means also includes a pair of elongate generally flat hingestraps 22, each extending through the registering strap confiningrecesses 21 on adjacent pages 13. It will also be noted that oppositeends of each strap 22 extends through openings 12 in the front and rearcovers 11. The end portions of the strap exit at the interior surface ofthe associated cover and each strap is releasably locked to a coverholder 23. Each cover holder 23 is formed of a somewhat rigid papermaterial and preferably substantially stronger and stiffer material thanthe material from which the pages 13 are formed. A pair of cover holders23 are provided for each album, one serving to releasably lock the endsof the straps against disengagement from the front cover and the othercover holder serving to releasably lock the ends of the straps fromdisengagement from the rear cover. Thus, one cover holder will bepositioned between the front cover and first album page and the othercover holder will be positioned between the rear cover and the lastalbum page.

Each cover holder is of elongate generally rectangular configuration andhas a length dimension substantially the same as the length dimension ofthe album pages but has a relatively small width dimension, as best seenin FIG. 2. Each cover holder also has a pair of elongate substantiallyparallel spaced apart slots 24 in one end thereof and a similar pair ofslots therein adjacent the opposite end thereof. These slots correspondin configuration and size to the slots 12 in the covers.

Each cover holder 23 also has a pair of hinge mounting tabs 15 foldedover and applied to the inner longitudinal marginal edge portion thereofin the manner that the tabs are applied to the pages 13. The tabs 15 areof the same size as the tabs 15 on the pages and are disposed inalignment therewith. Each tab 15 on cover holders 23 is also providedwith a hinge element 17, which is identical in construction to the hingeelement 17 associated with the pages 13. It will be noted, that thestraps 22 extend through the strap confining recesses of the hingeelements on the pages and cover holders, then through the slots 12 inthe covers and thereafter, the straps are looped through the slots 24 inthe cover holders to very securely but releasably lock the straps fromdisengagement from the covers. The straps or elongate hinge members 22,in the embodiment shown, are formed of a flexible plastic, although thehinge members may be formed of other flexible material, such as leather,cord or the like.

It will be noted, that this particular hinge binding means includes thehinge elements, which project exteriorly of the inner longitudinal edgesof the pages and the straps 22, which are also positioned exteriorly ofthe pages. The album can be easily opened, the pages turned, and thepages will lie flat when in the opened condition. By mounting the hingeelements on short hinge mounting tabs, these tabs and binge elements canbe preformed and thereafter applied to the pages in a high capacityoperation. The hinge mounting tabs will be provided with a gum-typeadhesive, a pressure-type adhesive, a heat activated adhesive or thelike. The hinge elements may be formed of wire, which has a flat orround configuration, or may be formed from cast metal, metal stamping ormolded plastic and the like. Although in the embodiment shown, smallmounting tabs are illustrated with each hinge element, it is pointed outthat a single tab may be employed for mounting a plurality of hingeelements. Such a tab may correspond in length to its associated page orbe somewhat shorter than the length of the page.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that a modified form of thehinge element is there shown. This hinge element 17:: includes a bightor transverse portion 18a having a pair of legs 19a integrally formedtherewith and projecting therefrom to penetrate the hinge mounting tab15. A pair of anchor elements 20a are integrally formed with the legs19a and are interposed between the longitudinal edge 16 of the page 13,and the tab 15. These anchor elements 20a terminate in terminal portions25a, which are formed by bending the anchor elements 20a uponthemselves. It will be noted, that these terminal portions 25a present arelatively large surface area that would tend to preclude disengagementof the hinge elements 17a from their associated tabs 15.

In FIG. 5, a different embodiment of the hinge element is shown, andthis hinge element is designated by the reference numeral 17b. The hingeelement 17b includes a bight or transverse portion 18b having legs 19bintegrally formed therewith and projecting therefrom. The legs 19b eachare secured to one of a pair of anchor elements 20b, which project awayfrom each other. It will be noted, that the legs 1% penetrate theassociated tab and that the anchor elements 20b are interposed betweenthe associated tab and the longitudinal edge 16 of the associated page13.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, a hinge element is designatedby the reference numeral and includes a transverse portion having asingle leg 19c integrally formed therewith and depending therefrom. Asingle anchor element 20c is integrally formed with the leg 19c and isinterposed between the tab 15 and the longitudinal edge 16 of the page13. The leg extends through an opening in the tab 15 and the transverseportion 18c is spaced from the tab to define the strap confining recess21c. The hinge element 17c is formed of a suitable metallic material andthe transverse portion 180 may be bent from a position illustrated infull line configuration of FIG. 6 to the dotted line positionillustrated in FIG. 6, to permit the associated page to be removed orinserted into locked relation with respect to the associated straps. Itis also pointed out that the hinge element 170 may be reversed in itsposition so that the anchor element 200 extends in the oppositedirection. The transverse portions are disposed in substantiallyparallel relation to the longitudinal edge of the page to which the tabis connected.

Referring now to FIG. 7, it will be seen that another embodiment of thehinge element is shown and is designated by the reference numeral 17d.This hinge element also includes transverse portions 18d, which has acentrally located opening therein to define a pair of transverseelements, which are integrally formed with legs 19d, which penetrate thetab 15. The legs are interconnected by a transverse portion 26d, whichunderlies the folded tab, and an elongate metallic element is rigidlysecured at its median portion to the transverse portion 26d to define apair of laterally projecting anchor elements 20d. The anchor elementsare interposed between the tab 15 and the longitudinal edge 16 of theassociated page 13. It will be noted that the transverse elements 18dare bendable between a closed condition, as illustrated in full lineconfiguration of FIG. 7 to an opened condition, as illustrated in dottedline configuration thereof. This arrangement permits pages to be readilyinserted or removed from the album without disassembling the album. Itwill also be noted that the transverse portions are disposed insubstantially parallel relation to the longitudinal edge of the pagewith which the tab is connected.

Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that a further embodiment of thehinge element is there shown and is designated by the reference numeral17e. This hinge element includes a bight or transverse portion 18ehaving a pair of legs 19e integrally formed therewith and projectingtherefrom through the tab 15. Anchor elements 20e are integrally formedwith the ends of the legs 19e and are interposed between the tab 15 andthe longitudinal edge 16 of the associated page 13. It will be noted,that one of the anchor elements 20s is substantially shorter than theother, thus permitting the hinge element to be shifted from the closedposition, illustrated in full line configuration, to the openedcondition, illustrated by dotted line configuration. To this end, it ispointed out that the hinge element 17e is formed of elastic metal,whereby the leg 19e having the shorter anchor element associatedtherewith may be yieldably urged towards the other leg to permit removalof the anchor element 20e through the associated opening in the tab.This arrangement also permits pages to be readily removed or insertedinto an album without the necessity of disassembling the same.

In FIG. 9, the hinge element 17 shown therein, includes a bight ortransverse portion 181 having a pair of legs 19f, which project throughan opening in the associated tab 15. Outturned anchor elements 20 areintegrally formed with the ends of the legs 19] and are interposedbetween the tab and the longitudinal edge 16 of the associated page 13.The hinge element 171 is also formed of spring steel, thus permitting auser to apply pressure to urge the legs 19f towards each other forremoval of the anchor elements from anchored relation below the tab 15.The hinge element may also be reinserted as desired. This arrangementalso allows the pages to be removed or inserted into the album withoutdisassembly thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 10, it will be seen that a still furtherembodiment of the hinge device is there shown. This embodiment of thehinge device includes a tab 15g which is formed of a suitable,yieldable, flexible plastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, rigidvinyl or the like, and which has the hinge element 17g integrally formedwith and molded in place thereon. This hinge element includes transverseportions 18g, having legs 19g integrally formed therewith, which, inturn, are integrally formed with the tab 15g. The transverse portions18g has an opening therein, which communicates with the opening 21g,that defines the hinge confining recess. Thus, a pair of transverseelements are formed and these transverse portions, together with theirassociated legs, have a springlike resilient property, thus permittingthe transverse portions to be yieldably forced apart for disengagementfrom or for interlocking engagement with the associated hinge straps.This arrangement also permits insertion and removal of pages from thealbum without requiring disassembly of the album. The transverseportions 18g are also disposed in substantially parallel relation to thelongitudinal edge of the page to which the tab is connected.

The tab 15g may be applied to the associated page 13 by suitablecompatible adhesive or openings may be made in the page to permitabutting portions of the tab to be heat sealed together.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the variousembodiments of the hinge structure, including the relatively smallmounting tabs and associated hinge elements, permit these hinge devicesto be preformed prior to application to the associated pages. This hasbeen found to be desirable in a number of instances and increases theproduction capabilities in the making of the albums. It will also benoted, that certain of the hinge structures permits ready removal ofalbum pages from an album Without requiring disassembly or disengagementof the straps from locked relation with respect to the associatedcovers. A single tab may also be used for mounting a plurality of hingeelements.

Although all of the embodiments disclosed illustrate a tab having asingle hinge element associated therewith, it is pointed out that aplurality of binge elements could be used in conjunction with a singletab.

Thus, it will be seen, from the preceding paragraphs that we haveprovided a novel album structure, which is not only of simple andinexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efficientmanner than any heretofore known comparable device.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An album comprising generally rectangular-shaped front and rearcovers each having longitudinal slots therein adjacent one longitudinaledge thereof,

a plurality of similar, generally rectangular flat pages each havingtransverse edges, and inner and outer longitudinal edges, a pair ofelongate flat substantially rectangular, somewhat rigid cover holders,one of which is positioned between the front cover and first album page,and the other cover holder being positioned between the rear cover andlast album page, each cover holder having a length dimensionsubstantially the same as the length dimension of album page but havinga width dimension substantially smaller than the width dimension of analbum page, each cover holder having a pair of transversely spaced apartslots therein adjacent one end thereof, and having a pair oftransversely spaced apart slots therein adjacent the other end thereof,each cover holder having inner longitudinal and outer longitudinaledges,

each page and cover holder having a plurality of spaced apart similarrelatively small hinge mounting tabs folded over and secured to theinner longitudinal edge portion thereof, each tab having a longitudinaldimension substantially smaller than the length dimension of itsassociated page, and having a width dimension substantially smaller thanthe width dimension of its associated page, each mounting tab presentinga folded longitudinal edge positioned upon the inner longitudinal edgeof the associated page and cover holder,

a plurality of hinge elements each secured to one of said tabs andprojecting outwardly therefrom and being disposed generally in the planeof its associated page, and each hinge element including a transverseportion having a leg integrally formed therewith and projectingtherefrom, means securing the leg with said associated tab, each hingeelement cooperating with the associated tab to define a strap confiningrecess exteriorly of the longitudinal edge of the tab, each transverseportion being disposed in substantially parallel relation to thelongitudinal edge of the tab the recess of one hinge element on eachpage and cover holder being disposed in registering relation with therecesses of binge elements on other of said pages and cover holder,

a plurality of elongate flexible hinge straps each extending throughregistering recesses of binge elements, and opposite end portionsextending through the openings in said front and rear covers and eachstrap having one end portion looped through the pair of slots adjacentone end portion of one cover holder, and the other end portion of eachstrap looped through the slots in the adjacent end portion of the othercover holder, to hingedly and detachably connect the covers and pagestogether.

2. The album as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said hinge elementsis of generally U-shaped configuration including a body portion and apair of legs integrally formed therewith, a pair of anchor elements eachintegrally formed from one of said legs and extending towards eachother, said anchor elements being interposed between the innerlongitudinal edge of the associated page and the associated tab.

3. The album as defined in claim 2 wherein the terminal portion of eachanchor element is angularly bent to project outwardly from thelongitudinal edge of the associated page.

4. The album as defined in claim 1 and a pair of legs integrally formedwith said transverse portion and projecting through the associated tab,means defining a pair of anchor elements rigidly connected with andprojecting outwardly from said legs and being interposed between theinner longitudinal edge of the associated page and the associated tab.

5. The album as defined in claim 4 wherein said transverse portion hasan opening therethrough.

6. The album as defineq in claim 4 whereip at least a FOREIGN PATENTSportron of each of sand hlnge elements 15 shlftable rela- 432,150 7/1926Germany.

UVC to the assoclated tab. 3,095 1905 Great Britain References Cited2,694 1913 Great Britain. 5 UNITED STATPS PATENTS JEROME SCHNALL,Primary Examiner 372,467 11/1887 Hawklns 129-42 1,327,992 1/1920Fritzsche 129-40 1,461,669 7/1923 Martin 129-1 129 l 19 1,526,533 2/1925Dieggis 129-42 10 Q 2,762,372 9/1956 Jochim 129-42 X

